Modern Marvels

Billions of pounds of milk are consumed worldwide on a daily basis. Join us as we visit a farm with a milking parlor, learn what pasteurization is really all about and even milk a yak.

It is the chemical basis of all known life and yet this simple element is also the foundation of modern technology.

The dot com decade opened up the information superhighway and for the first time, people could surf the web with the click of a mouse. See how the gadgets we can't live without started in the '90s.

Millions of drivers travel the world's superhighways each year. Visit some of the country's biggest and best and find out how a single distracted driver can cause a major traffic jam.

Witness some mind-blowing feats of mechanical strength, from the world's most powerful elevators and blenders to the strongest tire and the monster mine machine it rolls with.

Modern arsenals have become much more sophisticated than bullets and bombs. Discover some of the newest and most innovative weapons.

Tour some of the world's finest whiskey distilleries to see how each country puts its unique stamp on the spirit Irish monks call 'water of life.'

Bread is the basic source of nourishment for half the world. Bake it, slice it, toast it-it's a marvel that just flour, water and salt can be transformed into so many different shapes and tastes.

Rats are some of the most dangerous, destructive and useful animals on Earth. Ride along with an exterminator and see the great lengths we take to get rid of the pesky pest.

Nikola Tesla's genius electrified the world. Discover his system of alternating current and uncover the forgotten ruins of his dream experiment-a huge tower that could wirelessly power the world.

Watch as lumberjacks chop through logs in a matter of seconds. Visit one of the nation's largest axe manufacturers and learn why the Native American tomahawk is making a comeback.

Discover that the deadliest snakes, sports and weather events are closer and more treacherous than you may think.

Pyroman the life-size mannequin is exposed to more than 1,000 degrees F. Steel workers suit up to beat refinery heat. A friction lab tests aircraft and race car brakes.

Do you ever wonder what happens to your body after you die? You might be surprised to discover that the human body is host to a multitude of hidden secrets-even after death.

From the gelato of Italy, to the French Pot process of the 1800s, to the numerous assortments of frozen delights being served up today, get the scoop on this delicious dessert.

Check out a new digitally controlled uber-shower, check out a supposedly uncloggable toilet and learn all about the low-flow alternatives for bathroom tech.

Explore collisions that shake our world from the astronomic to the subatomic. Discover breakthroughs that could make professional auto racing safer and examine two-wheeled accidents in detail.

From itchy woolen union suits to comfortable briefs and boxers, learn how our undergarments have evolved over the last 100 years.

Every 15 minutes, Americans insert over 3.5 million coins into vending machines. We'll visit the factories where these coin-op machines are made.

Rubber, plastic, nylon, aerosols, resins, solvents, and lubricant--none can exist without oil. Featuring products derived from crude oil including plastic, lubricating oil, food grade oil & cosmetics.

Visit the mines of Minnesota and discover how iron ore is extracted and made into steel. Learn how military-metallurgists create the latest weapons and study the biggest iron magnet of all: the earth!

From Bolivia's 'Death Road,' to California's fog-shrouded Highway 99, find the danger that waits behind every blind curve. Includes a visit to the Federal Highway Administration's test laboratory.

From magic mushrooms to athlete's foot to penicillin, fungi are everywhere. Learn about fungal organisms that live within our bodies, grow beneath us and help create some of the things we consume.

A versatile yet toxic metal, lead has served mankind for 6,000 years. Explore the vast mines where heavy machinery extracts and refines lead and learn how it's used in homes and businesses today.

Our aging infrastructure is falling apart, and the restoration process is costing billions. See how scientists are finding ways to help control decay and turn decomposition into profit.